Ruling follows move to test a system to restrict the number of cars allowed on city streets

NEW DELHI—India’s Supreme Court on Wednesday temporarily barred the registration of larger diesel-powered cars, sport-utility vehicles and minivans in Delhi and ordered other changes aimed at curbing air pollution in the national capital region.

In addition to the ban, a three-judge panel of the court said taxis operating in Delhi and surrounding areas must switch from diesel or gasoline to compressed natural gas by March 1 and imposed limits on truck traffic in the city, which is home to about 16 million people.